Optical wavelength converter

ABSTRACT

Input light is split by an input-light splitter into first split light and second split light. A multiplex-interference portion performs multiplex interference of the first split light and the second split light to generate intensity-modulated light having a first wavelength. A phase modulation portion is fed with the intensity-modulated light and continuous wave light having a wavelength equal to a second wavelength, and performs cross-phase modulation of the continuous wave light in accordance with phase modulation of the input light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a wavelength converter; and more particularly, to an optical wavelength converter for phase-modulated light signals for use, for example, in coherent (interferability) optical communication or with an all-light cross connect.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In recent years, developments are in progress for wavelength division multiplex (WDM) optical communication schemes in large-scale optical communication systems. In the optical communication systems, the network performance can be significantly improved by converting the wavelengths of signals at nodes of the network. Conventionally, as a wavelength conversion device of a practical phase modulation scheme, there is generally known a device using four-wave mixing. Specifically, various wavelength converters have been proposed, utilizing, for example, cross-gain modulation or cross-phase modulation of semiconductor laser amplifiers or utilizing four-wave mixing of lights (see, for example, Patent Reference Document 1).

[0005]FIG. 5 shows an overall constitution of a conventional wavelength converter. In the wavelength converter for an optical phase modulation communication using a four-wave mixing, input phase-modulated light having a wavelength λ₁ is mixed by an optical coupler with continuous wave light (referred to as “CW light” or “pump light”, hereinafter) having a wavelength λ₃ generated by a laser diode (LD). Then, the mixed light is inputted to an optical medium such as a semiconductor optical amplifier (referred to as “SOA”, hereinafter) having nonlinear optical effects. In the SOA, a phase-conjugate wave having a wavelength λ₂ (=2λ₃−λ₁) is generated by the four-wave mixing. The phase-conjugate wave having a wavelength λ₂ is symmetric to the wave of the wavelength λ₁ with respect to the wavelength λ₃ on a wavelength axis. The phase-conjugate wave is outputted through an optical filter to thereby obtain wavelength-converted light having a wavelength λ₂ that has undergone the same phase modulation as that for the wavelength λ₁.

[0006] In another conventional art of, for example, Patent Reference Document 2, there is disclosed a wavelength converter of an electro-absorption (EA) type. In this art, incident signal light and continuous wave (CW) probe light from a probe light source are inputted to an electro-absorption (EA) type modulator. The probe light outputted from the electro-absorption (EA) type modulator has a waveform incorporating the waveform of the incident signal light, and is fed to a subsequent stage by a circulator.

[0007] In still another conventional art of, for example, Patent Reference Document 3, there is disclosed a wavelength converter for intensity-modulated light signals. This wavelength converter has, for example, a waveguide for generating nonlinear refractive index variations, a delay interference circuit with two optical paths having different optical path lengths, and a CW light source, thereby achieving an simplified constitution and control with a stable operation.

[0008] In yet another conventional art of, for example, Patent Reference Document 4, there is disclosed a wavelength converter for intensity-modulation light signals. This wavelength converter includes a monolithically integrated delay loop located in a delay interference construction having only a SOA, using an asymmetric isolation coupler.

[0009] Patent Reference Documents referred to in the above are as follows:

[0010] Patent Reference Document 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Laid-open Publication No. 10-78595 (Paragraphs 0017 to 0010; FIGS. 11 to 14)

[0011] Patent Reference Document 2:. Japanese Patent Unexamined Laid-open Publication No. 2000-236302 (Paragraph 0030; FIG. 1)

[0012] Patent Reference Document 3: Japanese Patent Unexamined Laid-open Publication No. 10-301151 (Paragraphs 0015 to 0020; FIG. 1)

[0013] Patent Reference Document 4: Japanese Patent Unexamined Laid-open Publication No. 2002-40504 (Paragraphs 0008 to 0010; FIG. 1)

[0014] Nevertheless, however, the conventional wavelength converters use four-wave mixing, which is one type of nonlinear optical effects obtained by such as a SOA. Therefore, there arises a problem that the intensity of the obtained wavelength-converted light is low in comparison to that of the CW light of the wavelength λ₃, and the conversion efficiency is low accordingly.

[0015] A relation as expressed by the equation given below exists between the individual wavelengths λ₁, λ₂, and λ₃:

λ₂=2×λ₃−λ₁

[0016] Therefore, it is impossible to convert the input light to an arbitrary wavelength light, which arise a problem of increased restriction in wavelength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention is made to solve the problems described above. An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide an optical wavelength converter that is intended for use in a phase-modulation optical communication and that is operable with high conversion efficiency and less wavelength restriction.

[0018] In order to achieve the object mentioned above, the present invention provides an optical wavelength converter for converting input phase-modulated light having a first wavelength to output phase-modulated light having a second wavelength, wherein the wavelength converter includes an input-light splitter adapted to split the input phase-modulated light into first split light and second split light. The wavelength converter further includes a multiplex-interference portion adapted to multiplex-interfering the first split light and the second split light to generate an intensity-modulated light having the first wavelength. The wavelength converter further includes a phase modulation portion which, upon receipt of the intensity-modulated light and continuous wave light having a wavelength equal to the second wavelength, performs cross-phase modulation of the continuous wave light in accordance with the phase modulation of the input phase-modulated light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other objects and features of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals and in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to an embodiment 1 of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to an embodiment 2 of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 3 is an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to an embodiment 3 of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 4 is an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to an embodiment 4 of the invention; and

[0024]FIG. 5 is an overall constitution of a conventional wavelength converter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereunder with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the individual drawings, common or like portions are shown by the same reference numerals/symbols, and detailed description thereof is not repeated.

Embodiment 1

[0026] An embodiment 1 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to the embodiment 1 of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a first optical coupler as an optical splitting portion; 12 denotes a first optical circulator; 13 denotes a first laser diode (injection synchronization LD); 14 denotes a second optical coupler as a multiplex portion; 15 denotes a second optical circulator;. 16 denotes a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA); and 17 denotes a second laser diode (LD) as an optical source of continuous wave (CW) light. In this arrangement, the first optical circulator 12, first laser diode 13 and second optical coupler 14 constitute a multiplex-interfering portion. The second optical circulator 15 and semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) 16 constitute a phase modulation portion.

[0027] Input light L_(in) as an input signal having a wavelength λ₁ is inputted through an input port P_(in) and is split by the first optical coupler 11 into two rays, namely, first input split light L₁ and second input split light L₂. The first input split light L₁, which is one of the two split light, travels along a first split waveguide P₁, further travels along a waveguide P₃ via the first optical circulator 12 of a 3-port type. Then, the first input split light L₁ designated by light L₃ is inputted to the first LD 13 which is an injection synchronization LD where the inputted light L₃ has the wavelength λ₁. The first LD 13 generates CW light L₄ of the same wavelength λ₁ as the input light L₁. The CW light L₄ travels along a waveguide P₄ via the first optical circulator 12, and is then inputted to the second optical coupler 14.

[0028] Meanwhile, the second input split light L₂, i.e., the other of the two split light outputted from the first optical coupler 11, travels along a second split waveguide P₂, and is then inputted to the second optical coupler 14. The second input split light L₂ of the wavelength-λ₁ and the CW light L₄ of the wavelength-λ₁ are multiplex-interfered through the second optical coupler 14. Thus, intensity-modulated light L₅ of the wavelength λ₁ is generated by the second optical coupler 14.

[0029] Via the second optical circulator 15, the intensity-modulated light L₅ is inputted to the SOA 16 which may be constructed using a device having a cross-phase modulation effect. At the same time, excitation CW light L₆ which is pump light having the wavelength-λ₂ is generated by the second LD 17 and is inputted to the SOA 16. The excitation CW light L₆ of the wavelength-λ₂ undergoes the same phase modulation as that for the input light Lin according to the cross-phase modulation effects of the SOA 16. Thus, the excitation CW light L₆ is converted to phase-modulated light L₇ having the wavelength λ₂. The phase-modulated light L₇ having the wavelength-λ₂ is outputted via the second optical circulator 15 to obtain output light L_(out) having the wavelength λ₂ which is outputted from an output port P_(out). Consequently, the input light L_(in) of the wavelength-λ₁ is converted into the phase-modulated output light L_(out) of the wavelength-λ₂.

[0030] According to the embodiment 1, the intensity of the output light having the wavelength-λ₂ can be increased by increasing the intensity of the output of the CW light of the wavelength-λ₂ generated by the second LD 17. In addition, a usable wavelength band of the SOA 16, which has the cross-phase modulation effects, is about 30 nm. Accordingly, within this range, the wavelength λ₂ of the output light can be arbitrarily set with respect to the wavelength λ₁ of the input light. Consequently, the present embodiment enables realization of the wavelength converter for use in phase-modulation optical communication that is operable with high conversion efficiency and less wavelength restriction.

[0031] In the embodiment 1, it is noted that, although the SOA is used as the device 16 having the cross-phase modulation effects, it is not limited to this, and an electro-absorption (EA) type optical modulator may be used.

Embodiment 2

[0032] An embodiment 2 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to the embodiment 2 of the invention. The embodiment 2 is a modified example of the embodiment 1. Specifically, in the wavelength converter of the embodiment 2, the first optical circulator 12 and the first LD 13 (injection synchronization LD) of the embodiment 1 are omitted, and an optical path difference is provided between the first split waveguide P₁ as a first branched optical path and the second split waveguide P₂ as a second branched optical path.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, input light L_(in) of a wavelength λ₁ is split by the first optical coupler 11 into two rays, namely, first input split light L₁ and second input split light L₂. The optical path difference between the first and second optical paths P₁ and P₂ is set such that, the first input split light L₁ takes a propagation time t to propagate along one branch optical path serving as the first optical path P₁ and to reach the second optical coupler 14, whereas the second input split light L₂ propagates along the other branch optical path serving as a delay-line optical path P₂ to reach the second optical coupler 14 with a delay time Δt added to the propagation time t. That is, the second input split light L₂ takes the propagation time (t+Δt) to reach the second optical coupler 14.

[0034] The delay time Δt is predetermined to be a time corresponding to one signal-bit cycle (code interval). With the optical path difference set in this manner, the first split light L₁ of the phase-modulated light interferes with the second split light L₂, and the input light is thereby converted into a signal of the intensity-modulated light L₅. Via the second optical circulator 15, the intensity-modulated light L₅ is inputted to a device such as the SOA 16 having cross-phase modulation effects.

[0035] At the same time, excitation CW light L₆ of the wavelength-λ₂ from the second LD 17 is inputted to the SOA 16. The excitation CW light L₆ of the wavelength-λ₂ is phase-modulated according to the cross-phase modulation effects of the SOA 16, thereby obtaining phase-modulated light L₇ having the wavelength λ₂. The phase-modulated light L₇ of the wavelength-λ₂ is outputted via the second optical circulator 15 as the output light L_(out) having the wavelength λ₂. In this manner, the input light L_(in) of the wavelength-λ₁ is converted into the phase-modulated output light L_(out) of the wavelength-λ₂.

[0036] According to the embodiment 2, with the constitution simpler than that of the embodiment 1, the wavelength converter for use in phase-modulation optical communication can be achieved, which is operable with high conversion efficiency and less wavelength restriction.

[0037] In the embodiment 2, although the SOA 16 is used as the device having the cross-phase modulation effects, it is not limited to this, and an electro-absorption (EA) type optical modulator may be used.

Embodiment 3

[0038] An embodiment 3 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to the embodiment 3 of the invention. The embodiment 3 is a modified example of the embodiment 2. Specifically, the wavelength converter of the embodiment 3 is modified by adding a third optical coupler 18, a second optical circulator 19, and a second SOA 20 to increase a phase modulation level for phase-modulated light that can be obtained from the intensity-modulated light.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, in order to increase the phase modulation level of phase-modulated light L₇ to be obtained, the embodiment 3 employs a plurality of phase modulating portions in the form of a multistage constitution, in which two or more phase modulation devices, such as SOAs, having cross-phase modulation effects are serially connected. In the constitution, split light L₅₁ and L₅₂ can be obtained through a third optical coupler 18, specifically, a splitting optical coupler. Also, in subsequent stages, phase-modulated light L₈ generated via optical waveguides P₈ and P₉ and the second SOA 20 can be obtained as the output light L_(out) having the wavelength λ₂.

[0040] Now, the phase modulation level of the first SOA 16 is represented by Δφ1, and the phase modulation level of the second SOA 20 is represented by Δφ2. In this case, a phase modulation level Δφ of the phase-modulated light obtainable as the output light L_(out) is expressed by the equation:

Δφ=Δφ1+Δφ2

[0041] Thus, according to the embodiment 3, advantages similar to those of the embodiment 2 can be obtained, and the phase modulation level of the phase-modulated light can be increased higher than that in the embodiment 2.

[0042] Although the illustrated modified example is a two-stage constitution in which the devices such as the SOAs having the cross-phase modulation effects are serially connected, a multistage constitution with more than two phase modulation portions serially connected may be used.

[0043] Further, in the embodiment 3, although the SOAs are used for the devices having the cross-phase modulation effects, electro-absorption (EA) type optical modulators may be used.

Embodiment 4

[0044] An embodiment 4 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows an overall constitution of a wavelength converter according to the embodiment 4 of the invention. The embodiment 4 has a basic constitution similar to that of the embodiment 2. Regarding differences from the embodiment 2, the embodiment 4 has an optical waveguide with a delay time shorter than a one-bit cycle is used, and an interferometer construction is formed to generate an intensity-modulation optical pulse (i.e., pulse train) at a transition point between the bit code symbols (“0” and “1”) of an incident pulse.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, the embodiment uses optical waveguides in which an optical path difference is set. The optical path difference is set such that, among the two split light L₁ and L₂ outputted from the first optical coupler 11, the first input split light L₁ takes a propagation time t to propagate along the first branch waveguide P₁ and to reach the second optical coupler 14, whereas the second input split light L₂ propagates along the other branch optical path P₂ (i.e., delay line) to reach the second optical coupler 14 with a delay time Δt in addition to the propagation time t. That is, the second input split light L₂ takes the propagation time (t+Δt) to reach the second optical coupler 14. Specifically, the delay time Δt is predetermined to be shorter than one signal-bit cycle (code interval).

[0046] In this manner, the interferometer construction is formed to generate an intensity-modulation optical pulse L_(p) of a pulse train at a switching point between the bit code symbols (“0” and “1”) of a binary input signal pulse. More specifically, the second optical coupler 14 generates the optical pulse L_(p) of a pulse train with the intensity represented by “1” when the phase of the incident pulse changing from “0” to “1” or from “1” to “0.”

[0047] An optical bistable device 21 formed of, for example, an optical flip-flop is serially connected between the second optical coupler 14 and the second optical circulator 15. The intensity-modulation optical pulse L_(p) is converted into NRZ (non-return to zero) intensity-modulation signal light L′₅ via the optical bistable device 21. Upon input of the pulse L_(p) of the intensity “1,” the mode of the optical bistable device 21 varies, thereby causing the optical output L′₅ thereof to vary in intensity.

[0048] Via the second optical circulator 15, the intensity-modulated light L′₅ outputted from the optical bistable device 21 is inputted to a phase-modulating device 16 such as the SOA having cross-phase modulation effects. At the same time, excitation CW light L₆ of the wavelength-λ₂ received from the second LD 17 is inputted to the SOA 16.

[0049] Thus, the excitation CW light L₆ of the wavelength-λ₂ is phase-modulated according to the cross-phase modulation effects of the SOA 16, thereby obtaining phase-modulated light L₇ having the wavelength λ₂. The phase-modulated light L₇ of the wavelength-λ₂ is output via the optical circulator 15 as output light L_(out) having the wavelength λ₂. In this manner, the input light L_(in) of the wavelength-λ₁ is converted into the phase-modulated output light L_(out) of the wavelength-λ₂.

[0050] Accordingly, also in the embodiment 4, advantages similar to those of the embodiment 2 can be obtained. In addition, the interferometer construction is formed for generating the intensity-modulation optical pulse (pulse train) at the switching point between the code symbols (“0” and “1”) of the incident pulse L₁.

[0051] In the constitution of the optical circuitry according to the invention, for the device having the cross-phase modulation effects, not only the SOA but also a different device may be used. For example, the device may be any one of an electro-absorption (EA) type optical modulator, an optical-fiber amplifier, and an optical fiber having a high nonlinear optical effect.

[0052] In the constitution of the optical circuitry, an optical fiber may be used as the optical waveguide; or alternatively, a semiconductor optical waveguide may be used. Further, the optical coupler to be used in the invention may be an optical coupler using an optical-fiber coupler or a semiconductor optical waveguide, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention may be constituted by monolithically integrating the CW-light generating optical source (LD) and the phase-modulating device on the same substrate. This enables the optical device to be miniaturized overall.

[0054] As described above, the invention enables realizing the wavelength converter for use in phase-modulation optical communication that is operable with high conversion efficiency and less wavelength restrictions.

[0055] While the invention has been described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical wavelength converter for converting input phase-modulated light having a first wavelength to output phase-modulated light having a second wavelength, the wavelength converter comprising: an input-light splitter adapted to split the input phase-modulated light into first split light and second split light; a multiplex-interference portion adapted to multiplex-interfering the first split light and the second split light to generate intensity-modulated light having the first wavelength; and a phase modulation portion which, upon receipt of the intensity-modulated light and continuous wave light having a wavelength equal to the second wavelength, performs cross-phase modulation of the continuous wave light in accordance with the phase modulation of the input phase-modulated light.
 2. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 1, wherein the multiplex-interference portion includes: an injection synchronization laser diode which generates continuous wave light having a wavelength equal to the first wavelength upon input of the first split light; and a multiplex optical coupler which multiplexes the continuous wave light having the first wavelength generated by the injection synchronization laser diode and the second split light outputted from the input-light splitter.
 3. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 1, wherein the multiplex-interference portion includes a delay portion for delaying one of the first split light and the second split light by one-bit delay time from the other in performing the interference.
 4. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 2, wherein the phase modulation portion comprises a semiconductor optical amplifier having a cross-phase modulation effect.
 5. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 3, wherein the phase modulation portion comprises a semiconductor optical amplifier having a cross-phase modulation effect.
 6. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 2, wherein the phase modulation portion comprises an optical modulator of an electro-absorption type having a cross-phase modulation effect.
 7. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 3, wherein the phase modulation portion comprises an optical modulator of an electro-absorption type having a cross-phase modulation effect.
 8. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 2, wherein the phase modulation portion comprises a plurality of phase modulators connected in series, said plurality of phase modulators including: a first phase modulator that performs the cross-phase modulation between the intensity-modulated light having the first wavelength generated by the multiplex-interference portion and the continuous wave light having the second wavelength, and a second phase modulator that performs cross-phase modulation between subsequent-stage intensity-modulated light and subsequent-stage phase-modulated light having the second wavelength generated by the first phase modulator.
 9. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 3, wherein the phase modulation portion comprises a plurality of phase modulators connected in series, said plurality of phase modulators including: a first phase modulator that performs the cross-phase modulation between the intensity-modulated light having the first wavelength generated by the multiplex-interference portion and the continuous wave light having the second wavelength, and a second phase modulator that performs cross-phase modulation between subsequent-stage intensity-modulated light and subsequent-stage phase-modulated light having the second wavelength generated by the first phase modulator.
 10. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 1, wherein the multiplex-interference portion includes a delay portion for delaying one of the first split light and the second split light by a delay time shorter than a one-bit time from the other one of the first split light and the second split light in performing the multiplex-interference of the first split light and the second split light to generate an optical pulse.
 11. The optical wavelength converter according to claim 10, further comprising an optical bistable device which generates an intensity-modulated light having the first wavelength with an optical-power intensity varied in response to input of the optical pulse generated by the multiplex-interference portion, wherein the intensity-modulated light generated by the optical bistable device and the continuous wave light having the second wavelength are inputted to the phase modulation portion to output the phase-modulated light having the second wavelength. 